February 18, 2026

Anxiety & Depression in CIRS: Your brain isn't broken, it's inflamed!

19 minutes

For more information and support, join us at https://thecirsgroup.com

In this week's episode, Barbara and Jacie discuss how anxiety and depression commonly show up in CIRS, and why these symptoms are often driven by biology and NOT personal weakness. Brain and body inflammation can disrupt neurotransmitters, increase inflammatory cytokines, affect mood regulation, and contribute to blood-brain barrier dysfunction and limbic system hypervigilance, leading to depression, anxiety, cognitive issues, and difficulty word-finding. They share personal experiences with OCD, suicidal ideation, and severe anxiety. They emphasize a “bottom-up” approach (reducing inflammation, treating CIRS/co-infections, addressing environment and exposures like mold) alongside “top-down” supports (therapy, limbic retraining, and community), noting therapy may be less effective without addressing root inflammation. They also highlight how mood improves with treatment, and suggest support options including The CIRS Group community and small group coaching through Untamed Iona (Dr. Lauren Sparks and Dr. Brenda Stewart). Check out our helpful links below the time stamps.

For more information and support, join us at https://thecirsgroup.com

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Anxiety & Depression in CIRS: Intro + Disclaimer

01:48 What is CIRS? and why mental health symptoms aren’t your fault

02:49 Top-Down vs Bottom-Up Healing (Therapy vs Treating Inflammation)

05:07 Let's talk biology: brain inflammation, neurotransmitters & mood

06:24 Our stories: suicidal ideation, hypervigilance & tick-borne triggers

10:23 Blood-Brain barrier + limbic system: why you feel stuck in "threat mode"

12:42 The Moldy Doc: snowball effect + hope through treatment

14:38 Support Options: therapy, support groups, limbic retraining + resources

16:48 Wrap-Up: Calming the alarm + Finding the right order of healing for YOU

18:54 Join us at TheCIRSGroup.com

HELPFUL LINKS:

For more information and support, join us at https://thecirsgroup.com

Moldy Doc: https://moldymovie.com/

Untamed Iona's support groups: https://www.untamediona.com/therapy

Order Jacie's book! The 30 Day Carnivore Bootcamp: https://a.co/d/7MgHrRs

The CIRS Group:

Support Community: https://thecirsgroup.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecirsgroup/

Find Jacie for carnivore, lifestyle and limbic resources:

Jacie’s book on the Carnivore diet! https://a.co/d/8ZKCqz0

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladycarnivory

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LadyCarnivory

Blog: https://www.ladycarnivory.com/

Find Barbara for business/finance tips and coaching:

Website: https://www.actlikebarbara.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actlikebarbara/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@actlikebarbara

Jacie is a Shoemaker certified Proficiency Partner, NASM certified nutrition coach, author, and carnivore recipe developer determined to share the life changing information of carnivore and CIRS to anyone who will listen. Barbara is a business and fitness coach, CIRS and ADHD advocate, writer, speaker, and a big fan of health and freedom. Together, they co-founded The CIRS Group, an online support community to help people that are struggling with their CIRS diagnosis and treatment.

...more